My journey to Hilti – Assessment Center in Headquarters
Flashback: It is start of summer 2015. I am sitting on a train close to my destination; Schaan, Liechtenstein. Blue sky and sunshine over the Lake of Constance. In the background I can see massive mountains, still covered in snow. It is a beautiful scenery. For a short moment it feels like summer vacation. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking – The people sitting next to me in the train, seem to be equipped to have a good time.
Should I also expect to have a good time during the assessment center (AC) for the Hilti Outperformer Program? I was a bit nervous, but also excited to see what would happen. In hindsight I can say: Yes, the HR colleagues and assessors managed to put us participants at ease and make the AC a memorable experience. Here is what happened…
Day 1 – AC with Hilti in Schaan:
The AC started with a warm welcome from HR, followed by a tour through the Hilti Campus, the Innovation Center offices, the Test-Lab and the employee fitness-area. Afterwards Stefan Nöken, Member of the Executive Board, gave an introductory presentation about Hilti and walked us through his curriculum vitae followed by a Q&A session. Day 1 finished with a delicious Dinner in one of the nearby Hotels. This gave us a good opportunity to have a first small-talk with the assessors for the next day.
Day 2 – AC with Hilti in Schaan:
After the quite casual introduction on day 1, the actual assessment started on day 2. In various single or group exercises (presentations, case-studies, discussions…) the 10-15 assessors from the Top Management (e.g. Business Unit-Heads, Head of HR, Head of Logistics, Plant Manager…) were able to meet with all 15 applicants. Unlike with other companies, the assessors themselves gave each participant a qualitative feedback about his/her performance during the day. Feedback was given immediately at the end of day 2. One of my personal highlights on day 2 was the hands-on session. For 1-2 hours we had the chance to switch our business outfit for safety glasses, gloves and helmet in order to demolish concrete blocks, drill holes, cut some steel pipes and get a feeling for the applications and product portfolio covered by Hilti.
The number of applicants that pass the AC, varies from time to time. In our case three applicants were offered the opportunity to join the Hilti Outperformer program in the technical or logistic track. Another 2-3 applicants were offered a direct entry position at Hilti
It all started with a train ride to Liechtenstein. Now I am fortunate to live and work in the Rhine valley also called the “Happy Valley”.